
ass 3i<Ji:2^0 



PRESEXTKi) BY 



THOMAS BRIDGE 

FIRST MINISTER 

OP 
THE CHURCH IN FAIRFIELD 



By 
Frank D. Andrews 

Secretary Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society 



PRIVATELY PRINTED 

VINELAND NEW JERSEY 
I 9 I 4 



THOMAS BRIDGE 

FIRST MINISTER 

OF 
THE CHURCH IN FAIRFIELD 



i3d 



By 

Frank D. Andrews 

Secretary Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society 



PRIVATELY PRINTED 

VINELAND NEW JERSEY 
I 9 I 4 






Gil. 
AutLc 

DEC iO 1914 



PREFACE. 

At some distance from the main road, west fi'om 
the village of Fairton, Fairfield township, is a grove 
of stately trees among the fertile fields, making, with 
glimpses of the river, a beautiful picture of living 
green in a charming landscape. 

The approach to the grove is through a modern 
cemetery. Before entering, we pause to read the 
inscription on a handsome granite monument erected 
to commemorate the early settlers, who, in the sev- 
teenth century founded here the Church of Christ. 
The monument bears the name of their minister, 
Rev. Thomas Bridge. 

On entering the grove there can be seen through 
the subdued light filtering through the leaves, 
the grave stones of some of the early inhabitants of 
this region, men and women, who long ago, lived, 
moved, and acted their part in life's little drama 
near this secluded retreat. Here by the Cohanse3^ 
and in this neighborhood, Rev. Thomas Bridge spent 
several years of his eventful life; "a most improv- 
ing school of patience to him," it proved, to quote 
a learned divine who became his friend in the larger 
field to w^hich he removed. 

The religious character of the Connecticut set- 
tlers of Fairfield was one of the important factors 
leading to the settlement of Mr. Bridge among them. 
Without that essential element of godliness and 
piety, it is doubtful if Cumberland County would 
have the honor of claiming him as one of its dis- 
tinsfuished earlv residents. 



Prom the site of the old church by the Cohansey 
to Boston, two hundred years a^^o, was a journey 
of a week or more, now it is possible to cover the 
distance during daylight. 

In Boston we enter the old burying- g^round ad- 
joining King's Chapel, and wander awhile among 
the graves reading the quaint inscriptions on the 
old stones. Presently we come upon the Cotton 
tomb wherein lie the remains of four of the early 
divines connected with tlie First Church. The last 
of the "Reverend and learned pastors," whose name 
is inscribed upon the tomb is that of "Mr THOMAS 
BRIDGE Aged 58 years Dec d September the 26 
17 15" Here at last, his wanderings over, he was 
laid at rest with the illustrious dead. 

In order that Fairfield and Cumberland County 
may share with Boston the honor of having this 
eminent divine among its early ministers, this 
sketch, necessarily brief and imperfect regarding 
Mr. Bridge's life in West Jersey, has been written; 
such as it is, however, it will throws some light up- 
on his residence and first pastorate in the Colonies. 

The writer acknowledges his indebtedness to the 
"Archives of the State of New Jersey," First Series, 
volumes: II, XXI, XXIIl; "History of Cumberland 
County," by Charles E. Sheppard; and the "History 
of the First Church in Boston." 

Frank D. Andrews. 
ViNELAND, N. J. 
I 9 I 4 . 



THOMAS BRIDGE. 

First Minister 

OF 

Fairfield, New Jersey. 

When the advantag"es of the climate, soil and lo- 
cation of the region along the Cohansey River in 
West New Jerse}^ became known, a number of fami- 
lies from Connecticut Colon}' made their way thiiher, 
locating on the rich fertile land along- and near the 
river and streams. 

Before the close of the seventeenth century the 
settlers on the south and east side of the Cohansey, 
applied to the Provisional Legislature for incorpora- 
tion, and in Ma^^ 1697, it was enacted that: 
"the Tract of Land in Cohansey, purchased by sever- 
al people lately inhabitants of Fairfield in New Eng- 
land, be from and after the date hereof, enacted into 
a township, and be called Fairfield, which is hereby 
empowered to the same privileges as any other 
Township in this Province are or have been, that 
are not Towns incorporate." 

While the township was called Fairfield, from 
Fairfield in Connecticut, the settlement was known 
as New England Town, from the character of the 
settlers. 

The first settlers, those who came from Fairfield 
in Connecticut, were mostly descendants of the Pu- 
ritans who had settled New England; an intelligent, 
enterprising and hardy people, a religious people, 
accustomed to attend public worship and with due 
reverence for their spiritual teacher and guide. 



6 

In their new home by the Cohansey they could not 
long remain without a minister, clergymen however, 
were not readily secured by every small community 
desiring one. Happily the New England people 
were to have a pastor of unusual attainments and 
ability. 

The West New Jersey Society, an orj^anization of 
London merchants, purchased, March 4, 1692, of Dr. 
Daniel Coxe, the right to the government and soil of 
a large tract of land in the southern part of West 
Jersey, which they were desirous of selling off to 
settlers. 

Dr. Coxe was a man of extensive acquaintan ce 
and numbered among his friends the Rev. Thomas 
Bridge, at that time residing in Bermuda, with whom 
he maintained a correspondence. In one of his let 
ters he expressed an inclination to remove to West 
Jersey and the possibility of others accompanying 
him. Although Dr. Coxe had disposed of a large 
part of his land to the West New Jersey Society, he 
still had an interest in that portion of the country 
and would gladly see it settled by religious people. 

He communicated with the members of the Society 
who addressed Mr. Bridge as follows: 

London ye 29th July 1692 

Sr Wee are informed by Dr Coxe that yo u declare 
yo r self inclyned togeather with divers other Inhabi- 
tants of the Bermudas to remove unto & reside in West 
Jersey Wee are very glad a Person of yo r Principles & 
pfession should eutertaine such thoughts ffor having re- 
ceived an Houo ble Character of you from diverse wee 
expect not onely benefitt should accrue unto the Inhabi- 
tants b}^ yo r Pious Instructions accompanied with an 
Exemplary life But also by yo r Prudentiall Council in 
reference to Civill & Secular affairs wherein you have 



been Providentially necesitated to Exercise yo rself And 
as wee have been assured very successfully: Sr if you 
are confirmed in yo r resolution wee shall give you all 
ye Encouragem t Countenance & Authority wee are Ca- 
pable of. Many Persons in diverse Parts of ye Country 
have frequently exprest their desires of a Minister & as- 
sure us they will Contribute toward his Comfortable 
subsistence & pay him all that duty respect & deference 
his worke deserves And for that Dr. Coxe hath conveyed 
unto us ye Government of the Country with great part of 
his Lands ffor your Encouragm t upon your Arrival wee 
will give order that you may in what Scituation you 
please take up Two Thousand Acres one Thousand to 
be yo r owne in ffee forever The other to be annexed 
unto ye oflfice & descend unto him who shall Succeed you 
When ever it shall please God by your death or other- 
wise to cause a vacancy. Wee are besides contriveing 
some other Methods whereby to render your station 
more comfortable Honorable & profittable and doubt not 
but wee shall Conclude to your full satisfaction and all 
those who accompany you shall find fair dealing En- 
couragem t Protection and assistance from 

Sr Your affectionate ffriends and Servants 
Tho: Lane: Edm: Harrrson 

E. Richier: Wm Wighman 

James Boddington: Rob: Michell 

John Jurin: James St John. 

As an additional inducement toward his friend's 
removal, Dr. Coxe, in a letter dated August 5, 1692, 
personally offered an annual allowance in money 
during his lifetime, should Mr, Bridge remain that 
long in the Province. 

Dr. Coxe's letter, and that of the West Jersey So- 
ciety are to be found among the West Jersey Records 
in the Secretary of State's office, Trenton, N. J. 



8 
The letter to Mr. Bridge at Bermuda is as follows: 

Sr 
I received yor s & returned an answer ye last Moneth 
but fearing that should not come seasonably to yo r 
hands & haveing I hope a safe Conveyance I determined 
to neglect noe opportunity whereby I might manifest ye 
friendship I cherish for you & confirme you in yedesigne 
of favouring a countrey wherein I am deeply concerned 
& whose welfare I would pmote for ye sake of ye Inhab- 
itants abstracted from my owne Interest which will I 
am very Confident be much advanced by yo r presence 
sound Doctrine & Exemplary life And I hope you will 
thereby reap not only ye satisfaction of haveing faith- 
fully served our great Master in ye great work of Con- 
verting & Confirming precious Immortall Souls: But I 
verily beleeve you will be rewarded wth ye blessings of 
a quiet pleasant heathfuU residence: And in ye Love & 
Hsteeme of those who shall voluntarily come under yo r 
Pastorall care with due maintenance: Togeather with 
Civill & Christian Respects from others of different per- 
swations. Besides which you will have ye Authority 
Encouragem t & assistance of those unto whom I have 
delegated ye Goverum t of West Jersey unto whom I 
have given a Character of yo r Person an Account of 
yor behavio r in diverse parts whither you have beene 
providentially called they have signified their satisfaction 
in a Letter v;hich yo u will receive I suppose by ye 
same Conveyance which brings this; Besides what they 
have proposed I do hereby faithfully assure yo u I will 
make yo u a Considerable annual allowance to be paid 
you in money dureing my life if you soe long Continue 
your residence in our Province. That ye onely wise God 
would Councell you in ye disposall of yourself prosper 
& succeed all your Generous Pious designes & under- 



9 
takeing is & shall be the Constant fervent prayer of him 
who is 

Dear Sr 
You r most affectionate friend & faithful servant 

Dan: Coxe. 
August 5 th 1692 

Mr. Bridge was undoubtedly flattered by the high 
regard of his friend, and pleased with the very 
liberal offer of the Society should he settle in West 
Jersey. 

He could not, however, immediately sever his 
connection with the people of Bermuda, many of his 
flock having become greatly attatched to him, and 
hoped to prevail upon him to settle, then, a plague 
had recently swept the Islands and they still needed 
him; consequently, although accepting the offers, he 
did not come to America until two years or more, 
the exact date of his arrival in West Jersey being 
unknown. The probabilty is that he was there in 
the spring of 1695, for he must have been on the 
ground to have selected a tract of land on the south 
side of the Cohansey, containing nine hundred and 
twelve acres, of which he took six hundred and 
eight, and John Green, a Cohansey blacksmith, three 
hundred and four, from George Hutchinson, of 
Burlington, by deed, dated the 24th of June 1695. 

It was not, however, until nearly two years later, 
Mr. Bridge obtained a deed to the land promised by 
the West Jersey Society, Thomas Revell, acting as 
their trustee, made a deed to Thomas Bridge, Gentle- 
man, May 17, 1697, fc>r one thousand acres in fee, re- 
citing that it was done in pursuance of the Society's 
letter to him. 

This tract was located on the east side of the Co- 
hansey River, partly in and extending to the su- 



lO 

burbs of what is now the city of Brid<^eton, and has 
since been known as the Indian Fields tract, the 
Indians havino: cleared a portion on which they had 
a settlement. He also secured an additional tract 
of two hundred and twenty acres for which he later 
took a deed. 

Mr. Bridge divided his land into lots of twenty- 
five acres, which, it is said, he soon sold to the in- 
coming settlers; the incorporation of the township 
of Fairfield, the establishment of a religious society 
and settlement of an accomplished and talented 
minister, proving a great inducement to locate 
where these advantages were to be found. 

Rev. Thomas Bridge, who thus became an exten- 
sive land owner in Cohansey Precinct, and the first 
minister of the Church at Fairfield, was born at 
Hackney, a suburb of London, England, in 1657. 

His parents were persons of w^ealth and position, 
and he enjoyed the advantages of his station. In 1666 
the family mansion with its contents were destroy- 
ed in the great fire of London, only a hamper of sil- 
ver plate is reported to have been saved, the family 
records were also burned. Thomas Bridge was ed- 
ucated at Oxford, and after graduation spent some 
time in travel, visiting the continent and the East. 

Being of a serious religious nature he studied for 
the ministry and took orders. 

He married Miss Elizabeth Turner, the only child 
of a widow, who, by a second marriage, became the 
wife of William Patterson, founder of the Bank of 
England. 

Before going to the West Indies and the Sommers' 
Isles, he visited the Mediterranean and traveled else- 
where. Grossing the Atlantic he stopped at Jamaica 
where he preached the gospel, at New Providence, 
he was considered one of the chief men, and owing 



II 
to his qualifications was frequently called upon to 
serve in civil matters as well as in clerical affairs. 

In the West Indies, at Barbadoes, New Provi- 
dence and Bermuda his labors were highly appreci- 
ated and the people endeavored to induce him to 
remain; he chose, however, to accept the offer of the 
West Jersey Society and settle in America. 

Just when the church at Fairfield was organized 
cannot be definitely stated, the early records hav- 
ing been lost or destroyed. The first church like 
the homes of the settlers was of logs; rough, unfin- 
ished in appearance, but the very centre of religious 
interest to the little band of worshipers. 

These pioneer settlers entered into an agreement, 
June lo, 1697, to divide certain land among them- 
selves, reserving plots for the minister and parson- 
age, and bound themselves to "obtain and maine- 
taine a Sound & Orthodox Ministr of the Gospell to 
preach the Gospell amongst uss," and they still 
further agreed, "That a School for the teaching of 
Children to read & write English shall be maine- 
tained from time to time." 

These men, and with them the families of those 
who were married, largely composed the congrega- 
tion of V\rhom Mr. Bridge was pastor. They heard 
from his lips the words of the gospel, of God's love 
and tenderness for the righteous, and punishment 
to sinners. Faithfully they attended divine services, 
as was their custom in their former home. The}^ 
obligated themselves to support the minister, and 
maintain a school for their children. 

Are not these men and women worthy of our high- 
est regard and esteem? Should not their descend- 
ants feel grateful that their ancestors were persons 
of character, from whom it is an honoi* lo trace their 



12 

lineage? How great an influence Mr. Bridge had in 
shaping the lives of his parishioners can only be 
estimated; we can readily believe, qualified as he 
was in civil and religious affairs, he was looked up- 
on with admiration and reverence, and soon won 
the confidence and love of his people. Evidently 
he had gained the appreciation of David Shepherd, 
who, mindful of the change that comes to all men, 
made his will November 20, 1695, leaving Mr. Bridge 
a legacy. Possibly he conducted the last rites 
over his remains a few days later as Mr. Shepherd 
had put off signing that document until shortly be- 
fore his death. Mr. Bridge was one of the three 
witnesses of the will of John Green, the Cohansey 
blacksmith, with whom be was associated in his first 
purchase of land a year and a half before. He may 
have advised the widow, and son David, of their 
duty in the settlement of the estate. From the old 
records we learn he was called upon to serve his 
townsmen when the last legal document was signed, 
drawing the will, perhaps, signing as witness, com- 
forting the dying, and consoling the bereaved. 

His name appears with others as witness of the 
will of John Miller, a wealthy farmer, August 23, 
1699. When James Breading, was about to die, he 
made a nuncupative will in the presence of his land- 
lady and neighbors, a statement to that effect was 
signed before Mr. Bridge and others, November 17, 
1701. Mr Breading was a merchant from Boston, 
with a stock of dry good-^, rum, and some books to 
supply the wants of the inhabitants. 

The court granted administration to his brother, 
Nathaniel Breading, merchant, of Boston. 

It is to be regretted the papers relating to the 
early church at Fairfield are lost and so little is 



13 
known regarding Rev. Mr. Brid«-e's pnstorate. 

We have found that he obtained a deed for land 
in the vicinity of the settlement in which he was to 
reside, June 24, 1695, and assumed he was in West 
Jersey some time previous to that date. When he 
left Bermuda, and whether he visited En^^land du- 
ring- the interval between his acceptance of the So- 
ciety's offer and coming to America does not appear. 

Taking the spring of 1695, then, as that of his first 
appearance in West Jers'^'y, we have bt^fore us a man 
not yet forty, in the very prime of life, well educated, 
talented, travelled — an inhabitant for a portion of 
his life at least, of the metropolis of London — and 
the seat of learning at Oxford, one accustomed 
to the habits of good society; the refinement and 
culture of that period. 

The change, even from the Bermuda's, must have 
been marked. West Jersey, south and e.ist of the 
Cohansey River, had but recent]}^ been opened for 
settlement. Familiar as we are with the locality a: 
the present day, it is difficult to picture it as it was 
at the close of the seventet^nth century. The river, 
and Delaware Bay into which it emptied were much 
the same as now; long stretches of marsh bordered 
the bay; the land vv^as iu places heaviJy wooded, with 
here and there a clearing around the log cabin of a 
settler. In a favored localit}^ near the south bank 
of the river was the church, built from the trees of 
the forest about it. The men and women to whom 
Mr. Bridge was minister and religious leader, were 
not unlike many another com[)an3^ who had left their 
New England homes hopini^ to better their condition; 
active, energetic, enterprising and intelligent. 

They felled the trees, built their homes, tilled tlie 
soil and in due season reaped the harvest. Game 



14 
was abundant in the woods, fish, oysters and clams 
were plentiful in the bay, and no one need huii^^er 
who would work, and yet they could not wholly es- 
caped the suffering" and privatious, sickness and 
death common to the lot of all pioneers. 

Such was the place and such were the conditions 
as the seventeenth century neared its close. 

We have every reason to believe Mr. Bridge and 
his family were warmly welcomed and every atten- 
tion shown them compatible with the primitive 
surroundings. 

The family consisted of his wife, Elizabeth, and 
four daughters. The first born, Elizabeth, was 
named after her mother; Ellen, born in New Provi- 
dence, October ist 1688; Lydia and Copia. 

It has been said by one of his descendants that 
"Mr. Bridge educated his daughters as though they 
were sons and preparing for Oxford, they were 
mistresses of three languages, painted on canvas 
and glass, were highly accomplished needlewomen, 
and better educated generally thau was common in 
Europe at that period." Doubtless their education, 
far in advance of young ladies of the time, the re- 
sult of their parent's instruction, commenced while 
residing in Fairfield, qualified them for the larger 
field they later entered. 

It is also related that Mr. Bridge would not allow 
them to gather flowers or walk in the garden on 
Sunday, keeping them behind closed shutters in the 
larger community to which they later removed, 
that there should be no inducement to take their 
attention from grave and more important things. 

If he found it necessary to be thus strict with his 
daughters in Fairfield, he but followed the example 
and custom of the Puritans of New England. 



15 

One serious drawback to a person of Mr. Bridge's 
temperament, isolated as he was, would be the lack 
of clerical associates. Greenwich, a few miles dis- 
tant, on the opposite side of the river, was settled 
by the Quakers of Fenwick's Colony, and, althouj^h 
men of other denominations were purchasing- land, 
and moving in, it was not until later a Presbyterian 
Society was organized. The Baptists w^ere early 
in the neighborhood and were under the leadership 
of Rev. Thomas Killingworth, of Salem, and Rev. 
Timothy Brooks, both men of some attainments, 
who, though of a different faith from Mr. Bridge 
were doubtless agreeable associates. Rev. Jede- 
diah Andrews, a graduate of Harvard College in 
1695, came to Philadelphia during the summer of 
1698. Mr. Bridge and he could tind common ground 
on which to base a friendship, being of a similar 
faith. Rev. Mr. Andrews became acquainted with 
the Fairfield people who turned to him to supply 
them with a minister after the removal of Mr. Bridge. 

Mr. Andrews induced his college classmate Rev. 
Josej)h Smith to take the place, saying "they were 
the best people of this neighbourhood," which may 
be considered a worthy testimonial to the Pairtield 
people. Among the residents of the township and 
vicinity a number could be named who in wealth 
and position were evidently able to meet Mr. 
Bridge in a social way. 

Although Fairfield was somewhat isolated, being 
off the main lines of travel, yet by water communi- 
cation was easily made with Salem, Philadelphia, 
and Burlington. 

At the latter place then the seat of government, 
Mr. Bridge had a very good friend, Edward Hun- 
loke, Deputy Governor under Governor Coxc, Col- 



i6 
lector of the Port of Burjing-ton, merchant, and a 
man of wealth, who at his death in the summer of 
1702, left his friend Thomas Bridg"e a leo:acy. 

Durintr Mr. Bridge's residence in Fairlield, many 
changes had taken place; a number of the early set- 
tlers had passed, away, among them: John Miller, 
William Clarke, John and Samuel Pithian, David 
Wescott, Jonathan Morehouse, Michael Hannah, 
Thomas Furbush, Philipp Vickary and others; men 
women and children taken from the church and com- 
munity and laid in lonely graves about their homes. 

Settlers from other sections of the country were 
coming in, a saw mill furnished lumber and better 
houses were being built, more land was cleared, 
a grist mill ground their grain, more crops were 
grown and the success of the settlement seemed 
assured. 

It is evident, however, that Mr. Bridge accustom- 
ed to frequent changes, was not content to end his 
days in this locality. He doubtless prefered the so- 
cial advantage of a larger place, especially for his 
growing family. 

When it became known that he proposed to re- 
move it must have brought sorrow if not despair to 
many of his congregation, the loss of their minister 
to whom they must have become greatly attatched 
during the years of service among them, and the 
difficulty of securing a man to till his place was 
anything but encouraging for the church. 

Mr. Bridge was endeared to them by many ties; he 
had baptized their chldren, united in marriage the 
young men and maidens, followed the aged to their 
last resting place, sympathized with the afflicted, 
and doubtless performed all the duties of the good 
pastor, surely, they could not let him go. 



17 

Mr. Bridge, however, w^is not to be prevailed upon 
to remain; he was now approaching- that age when 
his wanderings must cease and choose a permanent 
abiding place. He had disposed of the land he ac 
quired by his removal to West Jersey, for which 
he had rendered an equivalent by ministering to the 
Church at Fairfield for several years past, now he 
must seek a new home in another and larger field. 

What encouragement Mr. Bridge had that led him 
to choose Boston is uncertain, possibly he had rela- 
tives there, a clergyman of his name, Rev. Christo- 
pher Bridge, of King's Chapel, had been in office 
since 1699. 

Let us, before Mr. Bridge leaves West Jersey, 
consider for a moment the character of the man, 
as given by one of his cotemporaries who knew him 
in Boston, the Rev. William Cooper, who writes of 
him "as a man of much piety, devotion, love, humil- 
ity, meekness &c, and of great fidelity in the dis- 
charge of his office. His prayers were particularly 
impressive. Prayer was his gift and the bible his 
library." This speaks well of the man who had 
served the church at Fairfield. 

In taking leave of the church he had established, 
the congregation he had served, and the friends he 
had made during his residence in West Jersey, Mr. 
Bridge must have experienced some regret on sev- 
ering the ties that bound them. 

At that time long journeys were made by water, 
whenever practical. We can imagine Mr. Bridge 
and family after a tender and sorrowful farewell, 
sailing down the crooked reaches of the Cohansey 
to the Delaware on their way to Salem, where a 
sloop could be had to convey them to their des- 
tination. 



i8 

At Salem lived Captain Eliezer Dorbey, formerly 
of Boston, in New Eng"land, who made several trips 
yearly between these two ports. To g'o to Boston 
from Salem County passengers would naturally 
take this route unless they preferred to sail from 
Philadelphia. 

We have assumed, with some reason, Mr. Bridge, 
traveled by water, and with his family and house- 
hold goods, sailed with Captain Dorbey in his sloop 
from Salem, upward of nine years having passed 
since he first came to West Jersey. 

Evidently nothing occurred to interfere with the 
travellers and they arrived safely in Boston, March 
17, 1704. 

A voyage at that period was not devoid of danger, 
England having declared war against the French in 
1702, because of the claims of Louis XIV to the 
throne of Spain. A French Privateer lay off the 
coast ready to capture and plunder any vessel worth 
while. Captain Dorbey on his return trip from Bos- 
ton July 25, was taken by the Privateer at Sandy 
Hook. After plundering his sloop of the greater 
part of the cargo, they gave him back his sloop and 
he continued his voyage, reaching Salem the 7th 
of August, thankful, no doubt, of his release. 

When Mr. Bridge, his wife and four daughters, 
reached Boston, there was not a newspaper to an- 
nounce their arrival, and it was not until a month 
later (April 11, 1704,) that "The Boston News-Let- 
ter," the first newspaper published in the Colonies 
made its appearance. 

Settled in Boston, Mr. Bridge made the acquain- 
tance of several of the leading citizens, some of 
whom on hearing him preach were impressed with 
his ability as a minister. The First Church endeav- 



19 
ored to secure his services and in response to their 
call received the following letter under date of 
March 30th 1705: 

** Dearly Beloved, 

I have entertained your former invitation, 
and this one with fear and trembling, being sensible of 
the greatness of the work and my manifold infirmities; 
but I am not my own; and my encouragement is, that 
the grace of Christ is sufficient for me. I have therefore 
voluntarily, freely, and entirely resigned myself up to 
his dispose, and find satisfaction therein. I bless his 
glorious name for the acceptance my labors have found 
amongst you, and looking upon it as his work, that you 
are inclined to give me the call, I therefore thankfully 
and willingly accept it." 

Mr. Bridge was installed May 10, 1705, as collea- 
gue pastor with Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth. 

The First Church Society gathered in 1630, and 
two years later built their first house of public 
worship. The second church edifice was erected in 
1640-41, a wooden building, long in use when Mr. 
Bridge accepted the call. 

The contrast between his former charge and the 
First Church must have impressed him greatly. In 
Fairfield, with its scattered farms, the inhabitants 
mostly devoted to agricultural pursuits, his congre- 
gations were necessarily limited. In the old and 
prosperous church he now served his hearers dif- 
fered in their social standing from the small trades- 
man to the influential and aristocratic citizen. Here, 
Mr. Bridge could find the intellectual society deemed 
essential to the man of talent. The life of the 
family too must have changed with the removal and 
they could now enjoy many advantages from which 
they had long been deprived. 



20 

The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, 
of Boston, invited Mr. Bridg^e to preach the sermon 
at the annual election of officers June 4, 1705. He 
accepted the invitation and on that date spoke 
before them of "The Knowledge of God," a sermon, 
which later appeared in print. 

Mr. Bridge accompanied the Commissioners on 
their journey to Port Royal, sailing- from Boston 
July 5, and returning September i, 1707. 

As has been previously stated, Mr. Bridge educa- 
ted his daughters as though they were sons. When, 
at last, Mrs. Bridge gave birth to a son, October 31, 
1709, it must have brought joy to the household. At 
the baptism of the infant, named after the father, 
Thomas Bridge, Jr., it is said Mr. Bridge "for the 
first time joined his wife's name to his own on the 
church record." The parent's joy on the birth of a 
son was soon turned to grief as the child sickened 
and died of small pox. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bridge's second daughter, Ellen, 
in her 23d year, married on Thursday, June 7, 171 1, 
Joseph Marion, gentleman, the son of John Marion, 
Jr., a deacon of the First Church for thirty-six years. 

It was the same year, October 3, 1711, that the 
old meeting house was burned. Plans for a new 
house of worship were prepared, the new structure 
to be of brick 72 by 54 feet in size, and 32 feet to the 
plate. The corner stone was laid June 25, 1712. 

The walls of the new brick meeting-house rose 
steadily and the building with its three tier of win- 
dows, surmounted by a bell-tower and clock, was so 
nearly completed that services were held and the 
first sermon preached in the new building May 3, 

1713- 

Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, at the morning service, 
took for his text the words found in second Haggai, 



21 

ninth verse: "The glory of this latter house shall 
be greater than the former." His colleague, Rev. 
Thomas Bridge, preached in the afternoon, taking 
from the twenty-sixth Psalm, eighth verse, "Lord 
I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the 
place where thine honor dwelleth." 

In recognition of his ability and position Harvard 
College gave Mr. Bridge the honorary degree of 
Master of Arts, This was in 1712, and as he was the 
seventh man to have an honorary degree, it maybe 
of interest to name the others. 1692: William Brat- 
tle, John Leverett, Increase Mather. 1703: Thomas 
Wells. 1709: Jared Eliot. 1710: John James. 

The first three on the list were doubtless among 
the good friends Mr. Bridge had made in Boston, viz: 
Rev. William Brattle, minister of the church at Cam- 
bridge; John Leverett, a distinguished lawyer and 
judge, president of Harvard College from 1707 to 
1724. He was one of the commissioners to Port 
Royal in 1707, a journe}^ in which he had the com- 
pany of Mr. Bridge; Increase Mather, minister of 
the Second Church in Boston. These men, and 
a number of others of prominence who could be 
named among his friends, show in what estimation 
he was held. 

"The Mind at Ease. The Mystery of a Soul Find- 
ing Ease & Rest In the Enjoyment of God,'' a ser- 
mon by Mr. Bridge, was printed in 17 12. 

Writing under date of April 5, 1714, Mr. Bridge 
says, that "for more than half a Year jast,'' (such 
was the condition of his health) that he was "under 
the impression of Apoplectical and Parlytical Dis- 
tempers." He continued, however, to serve the 
church, though his faculties were somewhat affect- 
ed. His malady was beyond recovery and death 



22 

terminated his earthly career September 26, 17 15, at 
the age of fifty-eig-ht years. 

Judtre Samuel Sewall makes note of the event in his. 
diary, "7, 26, 1715:, Between 11 and 12, Mr. Bridge 
expired. The old Church, the Town, the Province 
have a great loss. He was particularly dear to me. 

His prayers and sermons were many times exalt- 
ed, not always alike. It may be this Lathorgick 
Malady might though unseen be the cause of some 
Unevenness. The Lord help us duly to lay the death 
of this worthy person to heart. We may justly fear 
he is taken away from Evil to Come. Isa. 57." 

The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. 
Coleman. The remains were placed in the Cotton 
tomb in the Chapel Burying Ground, September 29, 

1715. 

The Church voted to pay the funeral expenses, 
which amounted to about one hundred and four 
pounds, it was further ordered the sum of four shil- 
lings a week be allowed Mrs. Bridge for the present. 

By the death of her step father, William Pater- 
son, a wealthy London banker, the sum of ;^i,5oo,. 
was left by the provisions of his will, dated July i, 
1718, to Mrs. Bridge, "relic of the late Thomas 
Bridge, minister of the gospel in N. E." 

Rev. Cotton Mather, colleague pastor of the Sec 
ond Church, of which his father, Rev. Increase 
Mather was minister, was one of the most prolific: 
writers; his publications numbering 382 or more, one 
being a sermon on the death of Rev. Tfiomas Bridge. 

The following extracts are taken from the "New 
England Historical & Genealogical Register, " for 
April 1865. They will give the reader some idea of: 
Cotton Mather's style, aiso^ additi(mal information, 
regarding Mr. Bridge. 



23 
"Born at Hackney, near London, in the year 1657, 
of Pious and Worthy Parents; After a Religious and 
Liberal Education, and some Travels into the Med- 
iterranean; he Travelled into the American World, 
where he had a strong" Inclination to see and serve 
the Kingdon of our Saviour. Here he tirst Instruct- 
ed a Flock at Jamaica; and became as far as could 
be allow'd the Salt of that Island. Oh! might he 
have been more successfully one of the ^ternitaltis 
Sali tores there! Prom thence he removed unto the 
Island of Providence; Where, for some Time, he was 
the Principal Person in the Government, as well as 
the Instruction of the Plantation. Prom thence he 
removed unto the Island of Barmudas; where his 
Labour and and Courage, and Charity in the Time 
of a Mortality raging beyond any Pestilence, was 
worthy to be had in Everlasting Remembrance; and 
besides other Instances of it, in one Month he 
preached Nine and twenty sermons. From thence 
he removed unto West Jersey, where he did in the 
Recesses of a Patmos, conflict with Difficulties and 
with Discouragements, that proved a most improv- 
ing School of Patience to him. From thence he re- 
moved unto BOSTON, the Metropolis of the English 
America, where the First Church invited him, that 
they might enjoy the Abilities of so Experienced a 
person, in the Pastorial Conduct of a Flock where 
Famous Predecessors were to be succeeded. The 
Light was now in a very considerable Candlestick; 
and shone for Eleven years together. Some of the 
Rays thereof, we have in Pour Printed Composures; 
Entituled, 1. The Mind at Ease. II. What Faith 
can do. III. Jethro's Counsel. IV. A sermon to 
the Artillery Company. Tho' such was his modest 
Indisposition to Appearances in the way of the 



24 

Press, that these Thing's, were some of them, like 
some of Chysostoms, only the Notes of those that 
wrote Short- Hand after him. Two years before he 
died, a Pit of an Apoplectic Tendency seized him. 
From this Time, he felt his Faculties enfeebled. 
Yet he continued serviceable." 

"In the i6th year of his age, Rev. John Collins 
'originally of New Eng-land, was made his Spiritual 
Father,' 'beg*etting me to Christ,' he writes, 'by his 
Sermon on Acts 3. 19.' In his 17th year, he was 
'admitted into Full Communion with the church 
under his Pastoral Charg-e.* 'When I left my Native 
Country, I had Letters Testimonial and Recommend- 
atory, from Doctor John Owen, Mr. Mathew Meade, 
Mr. John Collins, Mr. Georg-e Griffith, Mr. Richard 
Lawrence, and Mr. Obadiah Hughes." 

The eminent divine in paying tribute to his de- 
ceased friend availed himself of a manuscript writ- 
ten by Mr. Bridge, "when he drew near his end." 

The Cotton Tomb, in King's Chapel Burying 
Ground, bears the following inscription: 
Here lyes 
Intombed the Bodies 
of the Famous Reverend 
and Learned Pastors of the First 
Church of CHRIST in BOSTON 
Viz. 
Mr JOHN COTTON Aged 67 Years Dec d Dec m 

the 23 1652 
Mr JOHN DAVENPORT Aged 72 Years Dec d 

March the 13 1670 
Mr JOHN OXONBRIDGE Aged 66 Years Deed 

December the 28 1670 
Mr THOMAS BRIDGE Aged 58 Years Deed 
September the 26th 1715 



25 

The Society in Fairfield, West Jersey, where Mr. 
Bridge first settled, suffered by his removal, and it 
was not until 1708 that the church obtained a pas- 
tor; the Rev. Joseph Smith, a graduate of Harvard 
College, who was installed Ma}' 1709. He did not 
remain long, however, and soon returned to New 
England. Others came and went, and the log church 
of Mr. Bridge's time gave place to a comfortable 
frame building shingled on the sides, a style then 
in vogue. In this meeting-house Rev. Daniel Elmer, 
a graduate of Yale College, preached for a quarter 
of a century. About the church the people buried 
their dead, some of the ministers too, were laid in 
their narrow cells among them. 

During the Revolution, a new church of stone was 
erected about one mile distant from the old site. 

A yard was laid out by the new church and in 
time the old through man's neglect and indifference, 
was overgrown and trees grew among the graves. 

The place, the establishment of the church in the 
wilderness, the compact of the early Fairfield set- 
tlers to "mainetaine a Sound & Orthodox Ministr of 
the Gospell," were not to be forgotten. Here on the 
banks of the Cohansey the Church of Christ was 
organized; here in West Jersey was the source of 
that stream of intelligence, righteousness and civil 
liberty, which flowing down the centuries, through 
generation after generation, as they scattered over 
our broad land, has influenced the lives of count- 
less men and women. 

Near where the old church once stood a handsome 
granite monument now stands, erected by the Pres- 
bytery of West Jersey to commemorate the founding 
of the church and the early settlers who laid that 
foundation secure. 



26 

This enduring" memorial stands at the entrance of 
the old burying"- ground; a quiet spot among the 
trees, where ancient time-stained stones tell of those 
who once worshiped in the old church. 

The inscription on the monument has the names 
of the sijsrners of the ''Cohansey Compact," twenty- 
six in number. The names of John Fairchild and 
Zachariah Ferris appear in the body of the agree- 
ment and should be preserved with the others as 
members of Mr. Bridge's congregation. 

On the monument is inscribed the following^: 

''IN MEMORY of the true and good men and 
women who coming in the seventeenth century 
founded here on the Cohansev. THE CHURCH 
OP CHRIST IN FAIRFIELD. It came under 
the care of the Presbyter}^ of West Jersey, May 
19, 1708. This monument is erected by their 
descendants and th*^ Presbvtery of West Jersey, 
June 15, 1909. REV. THOMAS BRIDGE WAS 
THEIR MINISTER." 

"Signers of Agreement in Fairfield, June 10, 1697." 

John Jones John Chatfiki.d 
Jonathan Morehouse John Mills 

Joseph Seelye Thomas Bennett 

Joseph Sayre Joseph Smith 

Robert Dallglesh Thomas Kernes 

Joseph Wheeler Joshua Curtis 

Daniel Wescott John Griffin 

Joseph Grimes Nicholas Johnson 

John Roberts Michael Hanna 

Eleazer Smith John Ogden 

John Bennett Samuel Foster 

Samuel Bellnap Edward Lummis 

John Bateman John Smith 



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